S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: Congress legislator Kewal Singh Pathania, 53, from Shahpur in Kangra district, is gradually emerging as a prominent political figure in lower Himachal Pradesh, blending his exposure with on-the-ground responsiveness.
A former loyalist of the late Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Pathania has adapted to the post-Singh leadership within the party. Unusually for a first-term MLA, elected in 2022, he accepted the position of Chief Whip — a role often shunned by newcomers — and has sought to use it to benefit his constituency.
Pathania won 36,603 votes in the 2022 state assembly polls, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party incumbent by over 12,000 votes, according to election commission data.
From USA to the Backroads
After a week long tour, Pathania returned to Chandigarh at about 3 a.m. on Tuesday after attending the International Conference of State Legislatures Summit in Boston, which included a session at Harvard University. Hours later, he was at Chitkara University discussing sustainable tourism and eco-tourism models for Himachal before heading straight to his constituency.
By early Thursday, he had secured ₹10 lakh for repairs to a damaged bridge during a video call with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in the presence of local residents.
BOX:
Emergency Response from Abroad
Even during his U.S. trip, Pathania kept his phone lines open. When a murder case in his constituency delayed the cremation of the victim, he coordinated remotely to expedite the last rites — a move locals say prevented further distress.
“In my Childhood days, it was once a dream to afford shoes for my bare feet,” he told The Newz Radar. “Today, I stood at Harvard as a representative in the International Legislative Council.”
BOX:
Development and Defense Agendas
In Boston, Pathania promoted Dharamsala’s eco-tourism potential — from Pong Dam water activities to trekking routes — and backed conservation-linked infrastructure projects such as ropeways.
At home, he toured agricultural areas with university experts to address crop damage and promote organic farming. On the national stage, he has called for the creation of a dedicated Himalayan Regiment in the Indian Army to recognise Himachal’s military heritage.
A Leadership Gap to Fill ?
Pathania’s combination of academic engagement, crisis management, and local outreach suggests he is positioning himself to fill a leadership vacuum in lower Himachal. Whether his efforts can translate into sustained political influence in Kangra remains to be seen.
